Facilitating ante- and post-mortem inspection in low-capacity establishments

We welcome in principle the further development of technologies for remote ante- and post-mortem inspection provided reliable technology is available. However we reject the proposed model official auxiliary on site and the official veterinarian involved (remotely) only once an abnormality has already been detected.

The objective of the proposed amendment is to allow official veterinarians in low-capacity slaughterhouses and game-handling establishments to carry out ante-mortem and post-mortem inspections remotely, provided that compliance with animal health, animal welfare and public health requirements is ensured.

Filed in Italian · English published by the European Commission

FOUR PAWS supports efforts to preserve local slaughter capacity where it contributes to shorter supply chains and better welfare for animals in the final stages. However, any reduction in the physical presence of Official Veterinarians (OVs) and any change in how post-mortem inspections are performed must not compromise animal welfare and public health.

UECBV welcomes and supports the Commissions efforts to adapt the ante- and post-mortem inspections to the logistical challenges faced by slaughterhouses. At the same time, UECBV calls for a further extension of these measures while ensuring the economic and operational sustainability of the meat industry sector through transparency, coordination and proportionate costs for operators.

We support the careful use of technology in meat inspection, including remote tools and computer-based systems, where these enhance official controls and improve flexibility in low-capacity slaughterhouses and game-handling establishments. However, any amendment to Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/624 must preserve the central role, responsibility and professional judgement of the Official Veterinarian (OV).

The German Animal Welfare Association (Deutsche Tierschutzbund) is critical of the planned extension of remote testing as part of official live animal and meat inspections. The proposed changes weaken the immediate veterinary on-the-spot check and risk reducing the reliability of detection and assessment of animal welfare and health findings.

Filed in German · English published by the European Commission

Croatian veterinary chamber as the member of the Federation of Veterinarians of Europe (FVE) and its sections EVERI, UEVH and UEVP representa around 3,000 veterinarians in Croatia which aims to enhance animal health, animal welfare, and public health and to protect the environment by promoting the veterinary profession.

The Federal Chamber of Veterinarians (Bundestierärztekammer – BTK) welcomes in principle the European Commission’s efforts to take into account and legally enshrine modern digital technologies, including video applications and artificial intelligence processes, to support official controls in the area of ante-mortem and post-mortem inspections.

Filed in German · English published by the European Commission

Supplement: Similarly, inspection costs are a major hurdle for small direct marketing companies. This is because the inspection fees incurred and the time spent on very few animals for slaughter or, particularly in the case of sheep or goat holdings, very small quantities of meat that can be marketed must be offset. Simplification would greatly facilitate this.

Filed in German · English published by the European Commission

The Austrian Federation of Farmers’ Direct Marketing Organisations supports the proposed amendments. As it is becoming increasingly difficult to ensure a comprehensive supply of physical veterinarians, an increase in flexibility while using up-to-date technological methods is to be welcomed.

Filed in German · English published by the European Commission

The Federation of Veterinarians of Europe (FVE) and its sections EASVO, EVERI, UEVH and UEVP represent around 330,000 veterinarians across 38 European countries aims to enhance animal health, animal welfare, and public health and to protect the environment by promoting the veterinary profession.

The Germany-based Association of Farmers Engaged in Artisanal Meat Processing supports the proposed amendments. It welcomes greater flexibility in the use of modern technological methods for the following reasons: a) As it is becoming increasingly difficult to ensure a comprehensive supply of local veterinary surgeons.

The Austrian Chamber of Agriculture supports the proposed amendments. As it is becoming increasingly difficult to ensure a comprehensive supply of physical veterinarians, an increase in flexibility while using up-to-date technological methods is to be welcomed.

Filed in German · English published by the European Commission

RVAN does not believe that remote AMI should become the default. RVAN does not believe that OAs can simply replace OVs. RVAN does believe that certain low-risk situations can be managed safely with appropriate procedures and escalation criteria. RVAN does believe that the biggest unresolved issue is what information must reach the OV and when.

The Federation of Swedish Farmers promote the introduction of remote meat inspection in smaller slaughterhouses and game handling facilities. The Swedish National Food Agency (Livsmedelsverket) has conducted a study showing that this can be implemented without compromising food safety, animal health, or animal welfare.

Copa-Cogeca supports the proposed amendments in principle, as they bring useful flexibility and can help address staff shortages while maintaining safety standards. We welcome the use of remote inspection, trained inspection staff, and new technologies, provided these are properly validated, supervised, and implemented with clear safeguards.

remote ante- and post-mortem inspection can be developed by the use of technologies and that is welcomed. The use of video, artificial intelligence, and other computer-based tools as a supplement to, and support for, traditional on-site ante- and post-mortem inspection is for years under improvement process. More speedy and money saving effects can be obtained.

Eurogroup for Animals recognises the importance of maintaining local slaughter capacity, particularly where it can contribute to reducing transport times and improving animal welfare before and during slaughter.

The Veterinary Portuguese Chamber (OMV) considers that ante-mortem inspection should remain the exclusive responsibility of the Official Veterinarian (OV). OV may continue to perform tasks relating to technical support, document verification and the reporting of any anomalies observed, without prejudice to the necessary direct involvement of OV in the clinical assessment of the animals and in taking the relevant…

The Spanish General Council of Veterinarians recognises the objectives pursued by the Commission in seeking to improve the flexibility and sustainability of official controls. However, the successful implementation of the proposal will depend on ensuring that digital technologies and remote inspection arrangements strengthen, rather than replace, effective veterinary oversight.

The Humane Slaughter Association (HSA) supports proportionate, risk-based approaches to official controls. However, we are concerned the proposed changes could reduce the effectiveness of animal welfare oversight unless appropriate safeguards are clearly defined.